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Exploring the Pocosin Lakes NWR

7/29/2018

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Exploring the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Columbia, North Carolina
  Man did we just scratch the surface of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Here's the deal. We always stop in the town of Columbia, NC - it's one of our favorite small towns around these parts. We sort of stumbled upon the NWR visitor's center here in town - I don't know how we've missed it in past trips to the Outer Banks - but luckily we made it this time.
The headquarters-visitor's center at the Pocosin Lakes NWR in NC
Outside the Pocosin Lakes visitor's center near downtown Columbia, NC
Inside the Walter B. Jones Sr. Center for the Sounds
   After checking out the park headquarters/visitor's center (located just off Hwy. 64 in town and on the river), we took a quick little hike along the Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk. We passed fisherman, folks on a quick stroll like us, and found a sweet kayak launch.
Hiking the scuppernong river interpretive boardwalk trail near Columbia, NC
The kayak launch along the Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk trail on the Scuppernong River
   The actual refuge stretches over 100,000 acres across 3 counties (Hyde, Tyrrell, & Washington). Well over 100,000 migratory water fowl concentrate here in the winter and the refuge is home to the only population of wild, free roaming red wolves in the world. It also is home to one of the densest populations of black bears in the world. Wowza!

   Here's a link to a map with descriptions of great water fowl observation points (best in the winter). These points are accessed via dirt roads throughout the refuge (some may be closed during the winter or peak water fowl migration times). We'll definitely be back in the winter to check things out. If you visit during the fall hunting season use caution and wear your Clemson sweatshirt.

   ~Paul & Amber   everyonestravelclub.com 

P.S. - We'll do a post on our favorite little town of Columbia NC in the winter when we visit the refuge to see some serious bird migration action!
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Crystal Coast Island Hopping

7/22/2018

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Shelling and island hopping via kayak to barrier islands along the Crystal Coast
   There is nothing we love more than putting in a kayak or two along the Crystal Coast and exploring barrier islands along the Intracoastal Waterway. Low tide and with-mutt is the best way to go. Today's blog post is a little photo journal of paddling around islands mostly near the seaside Eastern North Carolina town of Swansboro. Enjoy!

~Paul, Amber, & Eleanor    everyonestravelclub.com 

Links:
Our favorite boat launch near here

A great kayak rental place near here
Paddling with our dog near fishing boats in Swansboro, NC
Bring your dog to a private Crystal Coast beach!
Our inflatable Innova Sunny kayak beached on a sandbar on the Crystal Coast
Shark tooth island in the distance near Swansboro
Swimming with our dog on Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Purple island flowers on an Intracoastal waterway island
Our dog digging in the sand on an island along the Crystal Coast
A beach sculpture discovered on an island along the Crystal Coast
Crystal Coast sea life
Our favorite North Carolina beach sculpture
Watching the fishing boats go by on an island near Swansboro, NC
Pulling our kayak at low tide on the paddle route to Bear Island, North Carolina
Old litter along a beach on the Crystal Coast
#Oceanplastic on a paddle route along the Crystal Coast in North Carolina
Cliff bar beach litter in North Carolina
Beach litter - a McDonald's styrofoam cup
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Can you make a day of North Carolina's Fort Fisher State Park?

7/15/2018

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Exploring and hiking around Fort Fisher State Park and Recreation Area in North Carolina
   As we keep adventuring around where we live, our exploration bubble keeps getting bigger. We've been to most hiking and paddling spots close to home so now we spread out a bit. That took us to Fort Fisher State Park and recreation area in Kure Beach, North Carolina.
A panorama of the trails and mounds at Fort Fisher State Park in NC
The entrance sign to the Fort Fisher State Park visitor's center.
Cannon outside the Fort Fisher Visitor's Center on Kure Beach, NC
   The park consists of a historical center, short trails around bunkers and restored fence line, longer trails through a gorgeous salt marsh, a beautiful beach, a boat launch, and a (permit required) 4x4 all year round beach driving section. Here's a map of the park.
Replica fence posts at Fort Fisher Historic State Park
   During the Civil War, Fort Fisher allowed the port of Wilmington to stay open to runners supplying goods to the confederacy upriver. This was an important, and one of the last, lifelines to Robert E. Lee (in Virginia at the time).  It was cut off when the federalists attacked and took the fort in 1865. Once the fort was in the North's hands it was only a matter of time until the confederacy fell. 
A great East Coast beach day at Fort Fisher
A view from inside the gazebo at Fort Fisher
The beachside trail at Fort Fisher State Park
   Can you spend a day here? For sure. A few things about our trip. We came from out of town which meant quite a drive through busy Wilmington and onto Carolina Beach (city traffic followed by tourist traffic). Once you get out to the Fort it's a great idea to bring a lunch and a cooler. Eating under the live oaks by the beach would be perfect. Even more perfect would be purchasing a daily 4x4 pass and taking to the beach via off-road vehicle (see the 4x4 beach entry pictures below). Other options include aquatic exploration from the boat launch, hiking the Basin Trail, or checking out the aquarium at the end of the island. 
The 4x4 permit required entrance at Fort Fisher State Park in North Carolina
The welcome sign at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area
Park office hours for the 4x4 beach at Fort Fisher Recreation Area
The start of the salt marsh basin trail at Fort Fisher
   We loved it here. On our next trip we might look to stay a night close to the park to cut down on the Wilmington-traffic-driving, but what a picturesque beach and recreation area. Check it out!

~Paul & Amber    everyonestravelclub.com 

(Link to the official NC parks website for Fort Fisher)
A view of fishing at the beach at Fort Fisher State Park
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